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Planet Hollywood vs MGM Grand

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by GawdyGypsy, Mar 4, 2014.

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  1. GawdyGypsy

    GawdyGypsy Tourist

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    Hello again! I love this board!!! Haha!!! Real answers from experienced peeps! Love it! Anyway, again I'm a bride bringing about 50-60 people to Vegas in September. I've been reassured Planet Hollywood is a good choice given we are looking for high energy, fun atmosphere and a fun pool. So I've found out the pool sort of stinks and the nightclub inside Planet Hollywood recently closed. So
    My question to the experts is this would MGM be a better option (I don't want it to be super higher priced) and is it worth the extra $100 per person? Debate the experts :)

    Also is everything inside MGM quite higher priced also? I really liked Planet Hollywoods location right across from Cosmo and all
    That and I liked having a couple not so crazy expensive food options readily available.
    Thanks again!
     
  2. da1chifan

    da1chifan High-Roller

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    I love the area around PH and love the casino. I always have a blast there. The rooms are good and have huge bathrooms. I always seem to get rooms with really dumb movie memorabilia though. LOL I would not pay an extra $100 to stay at MGM.

    FYI. The base room for MGM has no bathroom door for the sink area and only a frosted glass door for the toilet area. I wouldn't stay there for that alone. I never want to be that familiar with my husband. LOL
     
  3. mgill1974

    mgill1974 Low-Roller

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    I haven't stayed at either property but I will say the MGM pool is awesome!
     
  4. phade

    phade Keeping tabs on LV while not there...

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    FWIW, a good friend of mine was married at MGM and had a blast and had a good experience.

    The problem for me is that MGM just doesn't wow me in anything other than its size. It's not bad at all, but it's not great either.

    Getting to and from the hotel room to the casino floor or anywhere else is a time-consuming proposition. Caeser's is the only other place that could compete where the amount of time it takes to do that. Forgetting a wallet or something in the hotel room is a loss of a 20 min. to a half hour.

    Food options are good, though. The buffet has gone downhill in my opinion. Every time I have been there, I like it less and less. Still, the other eateries are solid. The Lion Progressive is a must, however.

    Pool is decent.

    Planet Hollywood is in the same category for me, but the pool is not as nice. However, having said that, it has a few things that I like...the shopping area is nice to have a wander around (I'm not a shopper, but still), the buffet is the best "middle tier" one out there. I think a little more options to party as a group without needing the megaclub. Plus, the location is better closer to mid-strip.
     
  5. GawdyGypsy

    GawdyGypsy Tourist

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    Hahaha I'm choking on my coffee over here about being too familiar. Hahahahaaaa!!! Oh I get that. That is a very important piece of the puzzle. Hey let's get married and then let's crap basically in front of each other. No thanks.
    Thanks the the scoop :)
     
  6. ams722

    ams722 Side Bet Shunner

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    You're referring to the rooms in the West Wing (I forget what they're called now, used to be West Wing Kings). That is not the "base room" at the MGM Grand. The base rooms are the Grand Kings, which are nice and have a normal bathroom. The rooms are much nicer than PH's base rooms, which to me seemed like dungeons with that tiny little window.
     
  7. Jordan

    Jordan Caveman

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    Been to Vegas 18 times, and I have not stayed at either property until this upcoming trip which I will be staying at the Planet Hollywood. Lets not forget to address the elephant in the thread...LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION!!!

    PHo is mid-strip and right in the middle of all the "Action", that alone should be enough, especially if you have Vegas Virgins gong there for your wedding!

    A group that large will make the party, so that take care of the pool not being as good as MGM, and the fact that the Miracle Mile Shops are connected are a SUPER +++.

    Whatever you choose, don't overthink it, Vegas is awesome and you will have a GREAT time regardless of location!
     
  8. vegas_or_bust

    vegas_or_bust High-Roller

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    This is a no-brainer for me. If you are bringing 60 people and you want to hang out at the pool, MGM wins in a landslide. MGM has one of the best pool complexes on the strip, with 4-5 pools, and a cool lazy river.

    Also, MGM just recently updated all of their rooms, so MGM has better rooms.

    MGM also has better restaurants by far, with prices options from $ to $$$$.

    MGM has one of the best new night clubs in the world in Hakassan, while P-HO has nothing really in turns of clubs.

    You are correct that P-Ho has good energy in the casino itself, but I don't think MGM necessarily lacks in that area.

    P-HO may have slightly better location than MGM, but that is the only upside to me (and I don't even think that should apply since they are basically 2 blocks apart).

    The frosted bathroom doors are only in like 1% of the rooms (West Wing). The new updated rooms in the main part of the hotel are not like that at all.

    During the summer time MGM wins by far!
     
  9. GawdyGypsy

    GawdyGypsy Tourist

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    That is very reassuring thank you!
     
  10. GawdyGypsy

    GawdyGypsy Tourist

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    Thanks so much! I do like the easy access.
     
  11. Nittany1

    Nittany1 VIP Whale

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    Will all 50-60 people be staying at the same hotel?
    They will need to be to get into the pool.

    PH location is definitely better and the attached mall will be a plus for some in your party.
    The rooms are probably on the same level as long as you use the main tower at MGM. And not the West Wing.

    With that being said,the pool complex at MGM is really nice and the pool at PH is really,really, weak.
    If your group plans to spend any significant time at the pool then I would go with MGM.
    I know people that like the location of MGM better than PH as they have easy access to the South Strip properties.
     
  12. numeno

    numeno VIP Whale

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    I would lean towards MGM.

    - Much better pool
    - Has a club(the newest)
    - Larger range of restaurants


    The atmosphere I prefer PH more, but NYNY across the street to me is similar to PH.


    Location to me is a toss up. Yes PH is more centrally located, but this only matters if you are wanting to visit all the way from Mandalay Bay down to Wynn. If you are just going to mainly stay within a few casinos, both have plenty around them. MGM I feel gives more of a variety with some lower end and some higher end. Most of them around PH are higher end.


    In the end it just matters what is the most important. I think MGM can be a great atmosphere and if the pool matters, the MGM is the clear winner to me.
     
  13. Jordan

    Jordan Caveman

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    All the banter back and forth has probably got you more confused, I think EVERYONE will agree that you are not comparing Circus Circus to Bellagio here or anything like that, both are decent mid-tier properties and you really can't go wrong!

    Like people said it's just preference!
     
  14. Nittany1

    Nittany1 VIP Whale

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    Will all 50-60 people be staying at the same hotel?
    They will need to be to get into the pool.

    PH location is definitely better and the attached mall will be a plus for some in your party.
    The rooms are probably on the same level as long as you use the main tower at MGM. And not the West Wing.

    With that being said,the pool complex at MGM is really nice and the pool at PH is really,really, weak.
    If your group plans to spend any significant time at the pool then I would go with MGM.
    I know people that like the location of MGM better than PH as they have easy access to the South Strip properties.
     
  15. OhioStateAlum

    OhioStateAlum High-Roller

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    This.

    I have stayed at and really like both properties. MGM pool wins hands down. I think PH is much better if you want to walk around and explore the strip, MGM can take 10+ minutes to get from your room to the strip. Also, it might take you just as long, if not longer, to get from Hakkasan to your MGM room as it would to get from Marquee (at Cosmo) to your PH room.

    Either way you will have a great time and you can't go wrong IMO. The pros/cons seem to offset. I personally wouldn't pay more in this scenario.
     
  16. weluvvegas

    weluvvegas Casino Countess

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    Keep in mind if you go with MGM, a monorail ticket will take you quickly anywhere along the strip.
     
  17. VegasRandy

    VegasRandy Low-Roller

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    This guy knows what he's talking about.

    MGM by a mile.
     
  18. numeno

    numeno VIP Whale

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    Yep, just pick a few strong preferences and make a pick. You are going to be happy at either. And worst case is you need to walk outside 200ft down the road to another casino.
     
  19. herder

    herder Low-Roller

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    It's obvious from all the posts that if the pool is important to your party then mgm. You guys can have a blast by the pool at mgm. Also great eating options in mgm and some decent ones at nyny.

    We picked mgm for our summer trip. So basically with the pool and all the restaurants you can spend the days at mgm and go wherever at night.
     
  20. WHIVGOYTUBE

    WHIVGOYTUBE MIA

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    It is going to boil down to where you (and your guest like to stay). Is it primarily a South Strip experience or Mid Strip experience you are looking for.

    The pool situation has been explained, so if the pool is a #1 must have, then MGM.

    For Clubs, The PHo option would require the walk across the street to Cosmo. Hope you are prepared to how expensive Vegas Night Clubs are, and hassle of lines. MGM or Cosmo clubs are going to cost everyone plenty, so allocate big bucks.

    Is your group planning to go to the Linq/High Roller area for an evening? Then Pho looks like a better location. Does your group like the Bellagio / Fountains?

    For us, we love the PHo, Paris, Cosmo, Bellagio area at night. We think it is the prettiest area of the entire strip and love walking that area at night with a roadie (drink) from the room to start our evening.

    Food, I'll admit I know nothing of the cost for food South Strip. Last trip was at Flamingo. One of the reasons we chose Pho (in addition to the good casino vibe) is all the moderately priced food options. So many to choose from IMOP. When at Flamingo, the moderately food options were not nearly as plentiful.

    It really gets back to, where do you want home base to be, South Strip, or Mid Strip. How quickly do you want to be able to reach the strip from your hotel room? Once those decisions are made, the pools, clubs, and food needs are secondary.

    Good Luck. :thumbsup:
     
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